Can sealing apparatus



Nov. 22, 1938. J. JUNKUNC CAN SEALING APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April "9, 195s l. IIIIIIIIIIIII.

Nov. 22, 1938. J. JUNKUNC CAN SEALING APPARATUS Filed Aprii 9, 15x55y s sheets-sheet 2 v l z/E' DT" rH/v Jamey/vc.

J CAN SEALING APPARATUS Filed April '9, 1936 s sheets-sheet s Ej-Wv4 Je Z, l

J. JUNKUNC 2,137,245

Patented Nov. 22, 1938 UNITED STATES mais 1 oANsEALING APPARATUS i John J-unkunc, Chicago, ll.

Applicati'mn April'9, 1936, Serialv No. 73,402

7 Claims.

- The present invention relates to a can sealing apparatus and more particularly to a handoperated apparatus for seaming a cover onto a can in such a manner that the flanges of the cover andthe adjacent edge of the can body cally manufactured and `thus readily saleable at moderate prices. y *Y Another object of the present invention is to provide a Vcan sealing apparatus, of the handoperated type, which is readily adaptable for sealing cans of different sizes.

:Still another object of the present invention is to provide a hand-operated can sealing apparatus Vwherein the follower plate for holding a can and cover against a driver plate or chuck isy axially adjustable to accommodate cans of different sizes, and which plate is also provided with a plurality of configurations differently spaced, radially, to accommodate cans of different diameters for centering the same on the follower.'

A still further objectvof the present invention is`to providevmeans for adapting a can sealing apparatus to be used as a canopening apparatus. The above, other and' further objects of the present invention will Ybe apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings.

The accompanying drawings illustrate an embodiment of the present invention, and the views thereof are asfollows: y

Figure l is a vertical axial sectional view of the apparatus of the present invention, with a can in position for sealing, and with the adjustment for the follower plate extended to accommodate acan of intermediate height, i. e., a No. 2 can, which the present form of the inventionis capable of sealing, and showing the follower plate elevated to hold the can and cover in driving relation with thedriver or chuck.

Figure 2 is a view, partially in elevation and partially in axial section, of the driving or chuck plate and one manner of connecting the plate to a driving spindle, andshowing removable connections between the spindle and plate.

' Figure 3 is a view, partially in plan and partially in section, illustrating another manner of removably connecting the driving spindle and vation and partiallyin section, of one means, such asa pin, for preventing rotative movement of the follower plate during the flanging operation.

Figure 5 is a khoriz'onal sectional view taken substantially in the plane indicated by the line V-V of Figure l.

Figure 6 is an enlarged axial sectional view, with parts in elevation, through the follower plate of the present invention, its supporting spindle, and a telescopically arranged tail pin, together with one means for adjustably connecting the spindle and tail pin in desiredl arrangement. @Figure 7 is a plan 'view of thefollower plate showing the illustratedY manner of providing a plurality of indentations for affording centering means for cans of different diameters, accommodations being-here shown for cans of four differentV diameters. n l

Figure 8 is a fragmental sectional view, showing a` cover applied to the open flared margin of a can, ready for sealing.

Figure 9 is a View, partially in section and partially in elevation, showing the first seaming operation I' as carried outby the apparatus of the present` invention.

Figure 10 is a view, in vertical section, showing the manner of accomplishing the second seaming operation. Y Y l Figure l1 is a View,` partially in section and partially in elevation,.showing the cutting roller of the present apparatus in position preparatory to removing aA cover from a can.

The drawings will now be explained.

A frame, designated generally as A, is provided with means for removably securing it to support B, such as a table, ledge or bench. The illustrated means for accomplishing this purpose include a lug I, formed as a part of the frame structure and projecting downwardly from the bottom :of fthe frame, which is threaded to receive a thumb bolt 2 having a head 3 suitably con- .nectedv to the bolt for` slight movement, anda wing 4 for manipulating the bolt.

The frame A is constructed with a bottom 5 adapted to rest on top of the ledge or other support B, and having an upper overhanging part 6. The body of the frame is offset vertically to'provide Va, space for receiving a can and certain of the operating parts of the present apparatus. The overhanging part 6 is provided with an upstanding bored boss 'i which serves as a bearing for a driving spindle 3.Y The upper end of the spindle 8 is apertured to receive an operating hand. 9, which is shown in the form of a rod bent at its outer end upwardly to receive s wall 26.

a grip IG, which grip is retained in position on the upstanding end of the rod 9 by means of a bolt II entering the upper end of the grip I9 and threaded into a threaded bore I2 of the upstanding end of the rod, as may be readily observed in Figure l. The rod is secured to the spindle S by means of a pin I3 or other suitable fastening means.

In the form of coupling shown in Figures l and 2, the lower or inner end of the spindle 8 has a reduced cylindrical end I 4 which has a bore I5 to receive two spring-pressed balls I6 and I1 at the extremities of the bore, which balls are normally forced apart by means of an intervening spring I8 interposed in the bore. Above the bore I5 is another bore I9 which receives a pin 20 the ends of which extend outwardly of the surface of the reduced end portion I4 of. the spindle to receive notches formed in an upstanding neck 22k of the driver or chuck, designated generally at C'.

The driverV orfchuck plate C is` preferably fashioned frompressed metal, for economy of manufacture and light weight,` and has its peripheral portion 23' serrated to serve as a driving chuck for an applied can: and cover. The driver C is applied to the lower end of the spindle 8 by forcing the neck 22 of theV driver over the balls Ifandy I?, as shown inFigure 2, with the notches Mi engaging the extremities of the pin 20, thus connecting the spindley andv driver in relative nonrOtative relationship.

In. the modification shown in Figure 3, the inner or lower end of the spindle 8 has its chuck receiving end provided with` two oppositely disposed flat surfaces 59 and 5I which cooperate with similarly flattenedk portions of the neck 22a. of a driver or chuck C to effect driving connection between them. The neck 22a of the chuck C" is1lield1on` the spindlel by spring-pressed balls, such, as. balls I6; and I1. heretofore described.

The part 2d of the frame A extends downwardly from` the bottom 5, of the frame, and is cylindrically bored at 25, which bore isV open at its upper end` andY has1an. apertured lower end The bore 25 is in axialv alignment with the bore inthe bossk 7L at the upper part of, the frame. Slidable within. thebore 2.5 is a spindle 21 having a polygonal bore 28 opening through its. lower end and 'having its upper end reduced in diameter, as at 21a. In` the height of the spindle, there are provided a plurality of cross bores 29. 29a, 29h, 29C, and 29d, perpendicular to the axis of the spindle, for receiving a pin 30, for a purpose tobe later explained,

Rotatably attached to the reduced end 29V of the spindle 21. is a follower D. The follower D is preferably formed from pressed metal for lightness and economy of manufacture. The follower Dis providedwith a central hub 3I and a plurality of.- indentations 32 and 33 formed to extend abovek the margin 34 of the plate. Immediately within thev margin 34, the plate is oifset to provide an elevated surface 35` and a circumferential;` rib. 54.. The follower D is rotatably supported on the spindle 2'I- by applying the hub 3I` of the follower to the reduced end 29 of the spindle, whereupon theextremity of the reduced portion 29 is peened or otherwise fashioned to connect the follower D to the spindle inirremovable relationship, but at the same time, to allow relative rotation between them.

In the formation of the follower D, the indentations 32 are segmentalindentations, circumferentially spaced and formed inwardly of the 's margin of the rib 54. ofthe plate, so that between the outer boundaries of the segmental indentations 32, substantially flat surfaces 36 are formed. The indentation 33 is fashioned in the form of a modified Gr-eek cross, with the outer extremities of the arms of the cross substantially arcuate, as at 31.

By constructing the follower D in the manner described, there are provided four guideways of different diameters for thus receiving and centering cans having correspondingly different diameters. For example, the largest can, a No. 3, is guided by means of the application of the flange of its closed end over the margin 34 of the plate and bearing against the rib 54. The next largest can, a No. 2%, is centered on the follower plate by applying the flange of its closed end against the outside margins of the segmental lndentations 32. The next smaller can, a No. 2, is centered. and guided by the follower by applying the flange of the closed end of the can against the inside margins of the segmental indentations 32, while the smallest can, a No. 1, which may be centered on the follower D as herein illustrated,l is applied to the; plate with the flange of its` closed` end against the arcuate extremities 31 of the arms36 'of theindentation 33.

The follower plate D is provided with a plurality of holes 3&3,v 39, 40, and 49a, arranged in' groups, and with the. holes of a group formed. at'. different distances,` from the center ofthe plate, for a: purpose to b e later explained.

Telescopically movable within thepolygonal bore 2B of the spindle 21 is a correspondingly shaped polygonal tail pin: 4I havingformed` init, nea-r its upper end,A a'` pluralityf of holes 42, 42a and 42h at different points in the length of the tail pin to be placedzin register with one ofthe bores29of the spindle forreceivingthe connecting pin. 3U to connect, the tail pin 4I and' spindle 21T in adjusted;telescopicl arrangement; for disposing the follower plate D at a desired heightjtoconformrto the height of a can to be sealed or opened, as the caseA may be.

The bores ,29, 29a., 291), 29C` and 29d are axially spaced, one; fromanother, a distancev commen, surate with the lengthv of acanbody as cut off by successive opening operations. That isto: say, the distance betweenY the bores 2.9and` 29a corresponds to the amount a can is shortened when itis cutopen. the first time.. The distance between the bores 29av and 29h corresponds to the amount a can isshortenedby the; second opening. and.: the other bores, correspond` to subsequentv openings, sothatv uniform heights of cans: forv4 the successive cuttings or openings is maintained.

Formed below the part 24` of. the-frame. mem.- ber are ears 42 which are in spaced relationship and are formed4 as an integrali-part-.of the boss. I which carries the thumb-boltZ. A- bar-43 passes through registering apertures inthe ears, and' between the earsa cam disc 441s securedto the. bar by means'of a pin 45.. The pinenters a. suitableopening` in the cam discandzengages, aA notch in the ban43 to connect the cam disc to the bar in fixed relationship. After the pin 45 has'` been insertedl in the opening in: the disc the outerv end margin of` the opening is peened to securezthe pin 45Minr position. The bar has a. bent portion 46` which servesAY asa handle for manipulating the cam disc 44. The parts are so arranged that'` the lower endY of the tail pin 4I. always rests on the cam. disc 44.Y The disc 44 hasza flat por,- tion 44a.

Pivoted to the upper partv Bof theframe A, by means of aL bolt" 41; is. an. oscillating armv 48.

`Carried by the arm, on oneside ofthe pivot 41" lisf aseaming` roller VM, which isV retained in operative position -by means of aV bolt 49 passing 'throughthe center of the roller and engaging a threaded aperture inthe arm. Supported on the arm at a point on the other side ofthe-pivot 41,' is a second seaming roller N which,`in.like

manner, is'removably attachedfto the Aarrn by means of` a bolt 50. The bar 48 is provided'with a handle portion 5| for swinging it'.` *As will be observed, the bar `48V is adapted to swing ina horizontal plane. Y Y Y Nowadays, a housewife may purchase new cans which are closed at one end and open at the other end, new covers and gaskets, and may, herself, with an apparatus of the present inventionjcan foods, and the like. Such cans are available-in a `plurality of sizes with covers of corresponding sizes:4V The openends ofV such newcans are flared or anged.- -Y

`Suppose a housewife has purchased some No, 3 cans for home canning. A can, after being properly'gsterilizedand filled is then put on `Vthe' fol- 'lower D, with the ange ofl its closed end fitting about the rib 54, thus-centering the can. A cover F with the gasket 53 in it is then placedfover the open en d of the can and the handle 46l operated to rotate the cam disc-S44 against the tail Vpin 4|- to elevate the follower, can and cover against the chuck C. Such elevating movement causes the-chuck' to enter the depression in the cover F. By this time, the flat portion 44a of the disc 44 is against the tail pin 4|, thereby locking the parts against retrograde movement. c i

The handle 9 is rotated while the lever 48 is swung to `force the first seaming roller Ny against the cover fiange,A andthe cover ang-eI partially rolled under the flared margin of the can. The

vgasket 53 is also curved by this operation, lall as may be observed in Figure 9. After a few rotations against the seaming roller N, the lever is are suitably sterilized and put away V'for flateruse.

- -When a 4can is to be opened, the roller'N-is removed from the lever 48 and abutting roller P substituted, the filled can is inserted in the machine, rotated, and the cutting roller kP moved against the can so that its cutting edge `5G-cuts the Acan body just underneath'the Ycan seam, as may be seen in Figure 11. l The bores 29, 29a, etc., in thespindle 2l are axially spaced to conformto the amount of can severed by the openingoperation, i. e., the distance between the top of the can flange and th cutting edge 56 of the cutting-roller P. v

When using a new No. 3 can, the tail pin 4| is moved in the spindle 21-until the hole 42 -of the pin is in register with the uppermost bore 29,

Vwhereupon the pin 30 is inserted therein.A To

seal a new top to a No. 3 can, after the first opening, the hole 42 of the tail pin 4| is brought into register with the bore 29a'of .the spindle-21, thusV raising Vthe spindle the proper distance; For the second cutting of thesame can, the hole 42 of the tail pin 4| is moved to registerwith the -bore 29h-of. the spindlefandfthe other adjust- 4mentsfmadeV for'othercutting `of No.3 cans. The'hole` 42a ofthe tail pin 4| is used with No. 2 and No. 2% cans 'in asimilar manner, while theY hole 42b is us'edfor'No.1'*cans, and the several `adjustmentsfor su h lother. cans are made as heretoforedescribecll`v Y f i y0f course, priorvfto'rthe application ofthe can to theifollow'erfit has been filled with its con- -tents and a lidor cover, designated generally at F, is applied overthe iiared extremity 52 of the can, whereupon the Q'handle 46 -is actuated to .'causethe cam discr 44 `to raise the follower D to "effect drivingrelationship between the chuck C andthe recess or depression withinV the cover F as applied tothe can.-n y

Any can of a different diameter would be sealed inthesame manner, with'a cover of correspond- 'ing diameter. j'I'n such event, Va chuck C of 'proper diameter would be utilized and, readily appliedk tothe-driving spindle 8, simply by pulling offtherst chuck and applying the necessary v. chuck tothesr'iindle,` in the vmanner heretofore described, and the proper adjustment of the tail pin 4| 'and spindle 21 made.' The cutting roller P is Aformed with an annular Yface `55 of sulicientgheight toV receive in it the seam of the cari,- and has a cutting edge 56 which is `formed to a shearing angle. P is Vsocostructed that'the body of the can is sheared immediately belowthe lower margin of `the can flange, to eliminate'as little as possible fof -the can body, and thus afford a can of slightly less size for:` reuse. After the can has'been emptied, it?is'fsuitably'cleaned and sterilized to f be later used for canning purposes. When the shortenedcan is to be reused,the hare 52 is formed thereon in the manner'heretofore described and the sealing process carried out, utilizing, of course, a new cover and sealing gasket 53:. i

The cutting roller The active faces of .therollers M and N for Y seaming a; cover to a fcan are `such as to secure the proper sealing 'ofthe' cover with a slight movement vof the handle 48. With the constructionherein described,Y considerable pressure is applied to compress the can cover seam and thus effectively seal a cover to a can. The strong end pressure effected in f' clamping a cover' to the driver plate C Aand the upward pressure exerted :by the follower D'tends to force the initially outwardly flar'edupper margin of the can into the curl bof the seam fold.

`It will be observed that the apparatus of thepresent invention provides an exceedingly simple,

` inexpensive and, efficient double-seamingV apparatus Vwhich is manually operable and thus adaptedto the requirements of housewives who do their own canning,"or`of such canners who put up only small quantities of goods at a time. The

apparatus of the present invention also'efliciently hermetically seals vcansv without the use of solder or other binding agents, the sealing being accomplished solely by'me'chanical means.

Referring to Figure 6 of the drawings, it will be observed that the-telescopically arranged spindle 21 and tail pin 4| may be adjusted to accommodate the height of the follower D to any length of normal can -in use,` or which would be used by Va housewife;`lrv As the cans arev shortened by successive opening operations, the spindle 21 may `be movedupwardly'on the tail pin 4| by knocking out the driving pin 30, by means of the end '61 of theipin R, and then relatively adjusting the ltail pin 4| and spindle 2T to approximate the de- 75 sired height of the follower. When such relationship has been established, the pin 30' is inserted in the proper lone of the bores 29 Vand hole 42 to thus connect the telescoping parts together in axially adjusted relation.

By providing the polygonal bore `28 in the spindle 21 and the polygonal tail pin 4I, all rotative stress is removed from the `pin 30, so that it is not necessary that the pin be strong enough to afford driving relation between the telescopic parts.

By making the part 24 of the frame extending downwardly from the bottom 5, the whole apparatus may be positioned lower on the support B than would be possible if the part 24 and the rod 43 were all above the lowermost plane of the apparatus base. The undersurface of the overhanging part 6 of the frame A adjacent the pivot of the swinging lever 48 is Aprovided with an enlarged ilat surface 1| to form a flat bearing face for the lever and thus prevent any tilting movement of the lever during sealing, flanging or cutting, thus assuring an open-ended can with all points in the edge thereof in thesame plane, and thereby assuring sufficient material adjacent said end to afford an even flare or flange for resealing purposes. l

The invention has been described herein more or less precisely as to details, but it is to be un-I derstood that the invention is Vnot to be limited therebyas changes may be made in the arrangement and proportion of parts, and equivalents substituted without departing from theA spirit and scope of the invention.

The invention is claimed as follows: K

1. A hand-operated double-seaming apparatus for cans which comprises the combination with a suitable frame .having provision for securing it to a support such as a table or ledge, a rotatable driver or chuck supported in said frame and adapted to enter and lit the recess in a can cover, a follower axially aligned with said driver and adapted to be moved toward and away from said driver, a handle for rotating said driver and a can supported between it andthe follower, said follower comprising a plate rotativelyV mounted on a spindle, said spindle having a bore toreceive a tail pin, a tail pin centered in said spindle bore, means for adjustably connecting said spindle and tail pin to adjust the position of the follower with respect to the driver to accommodate cans of different heights, cam means acting directly against said tail pin for moving said fol- Alower and a supported can into'driving relation with said driver, a single oscillatable lever pivoted between its ends to said frame adjacent the driver, a roller rotatably mounted onv said lever near one end thereof and another roller-rotatably mounted on said lever between. its pivot andV the other end of the-lever, the rollers being movable successively in arcuate pathsabout the lever pivot as a center and against the `can cover for sealing the cover to the can. v

2. In a can sealing machine, a rotatable canholding driver or chuck having a `driving head which is adapted to t the recess of a can cover, a swinging lever pivoted between its ends, a roller rotatably mounted o-n said lever near one end and another roller rotatably mounted on said lever between the lever pivot and its other end, said `rollers adapted to be successively applied .against the cover flange to seal the cover to the can and movable through arcuatepaths the cenlters of which are rthe lever pivot,`a cooperating follower adapted to hold a can and its cover in driving relation with said driver, and said follower being provided with means for centering cans of different diameters on it.

3. In a hand-operated can top sealing apparatus of the1class wherein cans of different sizes are presented for sealing and wherein .a can support orrlifter plate is utilized for holding a can against a chuck; the combination of means for vertically adjusting said can support-or lifter plate without the use of separate llers, shims and the like; said means including a hollow spindle on which said can support or lifter plate is freely rotatable and on which it is permanently carried; the hollow interior of said spindle being polygonal in section; a polygonal tail pin slidably fitted in said hollow spindle to prevent relative rotative movement between said spindle and tail pin; and a pin passed through registering openings in said spindle and tail pin to lock them together in desired longitudinal adjustment.

4. In a hand-operated can top sealing apparatus of the class wherein cans of different sizes are presented for sealing and wherein 4chucks of different sizes are used for sealing cans of different diameters, the combination of means for removably connecting a chuck to its driving shaft, said means including a shaft having an end provided with a portion vadapted to receive a driving chuck, said shaft end and driving chuck having cooperating means to prevent relative rotation between them, and yieldable means for holding a chuck on the end of said shaft whereby said chuck may be removed from said shaft by pulling action.

5. In a hand-operated can top sealing apparatus of the class wherein cans of different sizes are presented for sealing and wherein chucks of different sizes are used for sealing cans of different diameters, the combination of means for removably connecting a chuck to its driving shaft,

said means including a shaft having a flattened portion adapted to receive a driving chuck, a drivingA chuck having a straight portion for contacting the flattened portion of said shaft to prevent relative rotation between them, and yieldable means for holding a chuck on the end of said shaft whereby said chuck may be removed from said shaft by pulling action.

6. In a hand-operated can top sealing apparatus of the class wherein cans of different sizes are presented for sealing and wherein a can support or lifter plate is utilized for holding a can against a chuck; the combination of means for vertically adjusting `said can support or lifter plate without the use of separate fillers, shims andthe like; said means including a hollow spindle on which said can support orlifter plate is freely rotatable and on which it is permanently carried; the hollow interior of said spindle being polygonal in section; a polygonal tail pin slidably fitted in said hollow spindle to prevent relative rotative movement between said spindle and tail pin; a pin passed through registering openings in said spindle and tail pin to lock them together in desired longitudinal adjustment, and cam means directly contacting the tail pin and operable to elevate the can support or lifter plate to can holding position.

7. In a hand-operated can top sealing apparatus of the class wherein cans of different sizes are presented for sealing and wherein a can support or lifter plate is utilized for holding a can `against a chuck; the combination of means for vertically adjusting said can support or lifter plate without the use of separate llers, shims and the like; said means including telescoping spindle and tail pin contoured to prevent relative rotative movement between them; means for connecting said spindle and tail pin together in longitudinally adjusted position, said can support or lifter plate being permanently carried by said spindle and being freely rotatable on the spindle; and elevating means acting directly against said tail pin to raise the can support to can holding position.

JOHN JUNKUNC. 

